Got a makerbot from [http://revspace.nl/ revspace]. Where one of it's members had it sitting on a desk for about a year without any good quality prints I decided to rob them and fix it completely with an overhaul

+

Got a makerbot from [http://revspace.nl/ revspace]. Where one of its members had it sitting on a desk for about a year without any good quality prints I decided to rob them and fix it completely with an overhaul

== The fixes ==

== The fixes ==

* J-Head 0.35 printhead

* J-Head 0.35 printhead

−

: The new J-Head extruded behaves much more nicely, doesn't jam up and gives a very nice output

+

: The new J-Head extruder behaves much more nicely, doesn't jam up and gives a very nice output

+

* New extruder

+

:[http://reprap.org/wiki/Wade%27s_Geared_Extruder]

* Teacup firmware

* Teacup firmware

: New teacup firmware makes it possible to use pronterface and slic3r as software. Giving much nicer control, monitoring and easier settings than any of the other old software.

: New teacup firmware makes it possible to use pronterface and slic3r as software. Giving much nicer control, monitoring and easier settings than any of the other old software.

* Rewire

* Rewire

−

: Since it is a makerbot cupcake CNC with a seperate extruderboard and a steppermotordriver connected to the extruderboard rewirering was needed since the extruder steppermotor is now connected directly to the mainboard. The extruderboard is now the only switching and controlling the temperature of the heated bed and the extruded

+

: Since it is a makerbot cupcake CNC with a separate extruderboard and a steppermotordriver connected to the extruderboard rewiring was needed since the extruder steppermotor is now connected directly to the mainboard. The extruderboard is now only switching and controlling the temperature of the heated bed and the extruder.

−

: TODO: this might change and we might move all lines to the mainboard.

+

: New cables and connectors for the hotend are needed

: New cables and connectors for the hotend are needed

* Printbed

* Printbed

−

: The original printbed of the makerbot is very unstable this has to change

+

: The original printbed of the makerbot is very unstable, this has to change

−

: TODO: New printbed with glassplate and isolation

+

: New printbed with isolation

* Z threaded rods

* Z threaded rods

−

: they are bend in very ugly shapes. These need to be replaced

+

: they are bend in very ugly shapes. These needed to be replaced

* Calibration

* Calibration

: X Y and Z calibration are very easy. Extruded calibration should be done at the right temperature.

: X Y and Z calibration are very easy. Extruded calibration should be done at the right temperature.

−

: TODO: extruder recalibration

+

: extruder recalibration (again)

* Retraction

* Retraction

: Since it takes a *lot* of steps (gearbox) to retract retraction time is slow, retraction is set to only 0.2mm during print

: Since it takes a *lot* of steps (gearbox) to retract retraction time is slow, retraction is set to only 0.2mm during print

The fixes

New teacup firmware makes it possible to use pronterface and slic3r as software. Giving much nicer control, monitoring and easier settings than any of the other old software.

Rewire

Since it is a makerbot cupcake CNC with a separate extruderboard and a steppermotordriver connected to the extruderboard rewiring was needed since the extruder steppermotor is now connected directly to the mainboard. The extruderboard is now only switching and controlling the temperature of the heated bed and the extruder.

New cables and connectors for the hotend are needed

Printbed

The original printbed of the makerbot is very unstable, this has to change

New printbed with isolation

Z threaded rods

they are bend in very ugly shapes. These needed to be replaced

Calibration

X Y and Z calibration are very easy. Extruded calibration should be done at the right temperature.

extruder recalibration (again)

Retraction

Since it takes a *lot* of steps (gearbox) to retract retraction time is slow, retraction is set to only 0.2mm during print

lower this value - get rid of makergear.

Endstops

There are no endstops

TODO: install 6 endstops, drill holes to install them and wire them.

Grease

Apply more.. always :)

Conclusion

It was a nice design at some time, however newer firmware and a lot of improvements can make it a very nice and fast printer.